Underwear Garment having a Detachable Absorbent Pad

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides an underwear garment comprising a crotch lining having an absorbent pad which is machine washable, and which is detachably connected to the underwear garment by a plurality of snap fittings on the inner surface of the crotch region of the garment. The garment may also be provided as a kit with a plurality of such machine-washable crotch linings. The undergarment is thereby designed to absorb secretions from menstruating women, women with postpartum bleeding, and men or women with urinary incontinence.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit and priority of USprovisional application no. U.S. 63/149,233, filed 13 Feb. 2021.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of underweargarments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a women'sunderwear garment comprising a detachable absorbent pad formenstruation, urinary incontinence, postpartum bleeding, and other suchconditions.

BACKGROUND

Typically, a woman who is menstruating uses a tampon or a sanitary pad,in addition to wearing the undergarment, to keep both undergarments andouter garments from being soiled by bodily secretions and discharges.Women undergoing postpartum bleeding or urinary incontinence must takesimilar measures such as wearing mesh underwear to absorb heavy bleedingafter giving birth. Alternative solutions for absorbing bodilysecretions and discharges include adult “briefs” which offer a largerarea of protection and may be particularly useful for men or women whohave urinary incontinence. The current selections of adult briefs andmesh underwear are, however, unattractive due to their bulk, which makestheir concealment under outer clothing difficult or impossible.

Further, because most pads/tampons and adult briefs are disposable andnot reusable, the cost of purchasing the products may be an economicburden since it may add up to a significant sum per year. Additionally,the waste produced is environmentally unsustainable. Moreover, thepads/tampons may be occasionally positioned incorrectly (e.g., too farup or back), or even if they are positioned correctly can be liable tosliding/shifting/scrunching up, and the adult briefs may be wrapped tooloosely, all resulting in severe leakage.

Consequently, there is a need for undergarments that eliminate the needfor using disposable pads/tampons and adult briefs while effectivelyabsorbing liquid flow and reducing the risk of leaks and stains.Additionally, it is desirable that the undergarments provide stainprevention, antimicrobial management, and skin comfort.

It is within this context that the present invention is provided.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an underwear garment comprising a crotchlining having an absorbent pad which is machine washable, and which isdetachably connected to the underwear garment by a plurality of snapfittings on the inner surface of the crotch region of the garment. Thegarment may also be provided as a kit with a plurality of suchmachine-washable crotch linings.

Thus, according to one aspect of the present disclosure there isprovided an underwear garment, comprising: a garment body, the garmentbody comprising a waist loop and a crotch portion with a length, whereinthe waist loop and crotch portion are connected together to form twoopenings for receiving a wearer's legs, and wherein an inner surface ofthe crotch portion has a first set of snap fittings and a second set ofsnap fittings attached at opposing ends of the length of the crotchportion; and a crotch lining element, the crotch lining elementcomprising an elongate fabric strip with an absorbent pad set along thelength and held between opposing ends, and wherein a third set of snapfittings and a fourth set of snap fittings are affixed to each of theopposing ends configured to form a detachable connection with the firstand second sets of snap fittings.

In some embodiments, the crotch lining element further comprises a pairof tabs or wings protruding at outwards from a middle portion of itslength, the pair of tabs comprising a matching pair of snap fittings forforming a detachable connection.

The outer surface of the crotch portion of the garment body may alsocomprise a second pair of tabs for forming a detachable connection withthe tabs of the wings of the crotch lining element.

In such embodiments, the garment may further comprise an additionallayer covering the outer or inner surface of the crotch portion, theouter layer serving to protect and cover the connection between thewings.

In some embodiments, the crotch lining element is formed of one or moreabsorbent pads stitched between two fabric layers.

In some embodiments, the garment comprises a material chosen from woven,non-woven, or a combination thereof. Specifically, the material may bechosen from cotton, nylon, polyester, or a combination thereof.

The absorbent pad may comprise any one of zorb, cotton, flannel, Sherpa,cotton fleece, hemp, bamboo, linen, rayon, wool, french terry,microfiber, push fabric, modal fabric, or any other type of suitableabsorbent material.

In some embodiments, the absorbent pad contains an antimicrobial agent.

The garment may be any one of the following styles: briefs, boyshorts,hipster, bikini, thong, hi-waist, and swimwear. These are merely examplestyles and are not an exhaustive list, other styles not listed hereinmay also be used.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provideda kit, the kit comprising an underwear garment according to any one ofthe above-described embodiments and a plurality of additional crotchlining elements.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there isprovided method of using an underwear garment according to any one ofthe above-described embodiments, the method comprises the steps of:aligning the crotch lining element with the inner surface of the crotchportion of the garment body such that the absorbent pad faces inwards;and affixing the crotch lining element in place against the garment bodyby connecting the first and second sets of snaps to the third and fourthsets of snaps, respectively.

In some embodiments, the crotch lining element has the above-describedwings and the method further comprises affixing the opposing tabs of thewings of the crotch lining element to one another. The method mayfurther comprises affixing the tabs of the wings of the crotch liningelement to the tabs on on the outer surface of the crotch portion of thegarment body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the followingdetailed description and accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example configuration of the underwear garment andcrotch lining of the present disclosure in perspective view with thecrotch lining ready to be attached to the underwear garment body.

FIG. 2 illustrates the example configuration of FIG. 1 wherein thecrotch lining has been secured to the crotch region of the underweargarment body.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example configuration of the construction of thecrotch lining in an exploded view to show the multiple layers.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second example configuration of the underweargarment of the present disclosure, wherein an outer surface of thecrotch portion of the garment comprises a pair of tabs/snap fittings.

FIG. 5 illustrates a third example configuration of the underweargarment of the present disclosure in a thong style.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth example configuration of the underweargarment of the present disclosure having an additional layer applied onthe inner surface of the gusset.

FIG. 7 illustrates the fourth example configuration with the removablecrotch lining attached.

Common reference numerals are used throughout the figures and thedetailed description to indicate like elements. One skilled in the artwill readily recognize that the above figures are examples and thatother architectures, modes of operation, orders of operation, andelements/functions can be provided and implemented without departingfrom the characteristics and features of the invention, as set forth inthe claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments toillustrate the principles of the invention. The embodiments are providedto illustrate aspects of the invention, but the invention is not limitedto any embodiment. The scope of the invention encompasses numerousalternatives, modifications and equivalent; it is limited only by theclaims.

Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, theinvention may be practiced according to the claims without some or allof these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technicalmaterial that is known in the technical fields related to the inventionhas not been described in detail so that the invention is notunnecessarily obscured.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any combinations of one or moreof the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as thesingular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willbe further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,”when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Referring to FIG. 1 an example configuration of the underwear garment100 and crotch lining 200 of the present disclosure are shown inperspective view, with the crotch lining 200 ready to be attached to theunderwear garment body.

As can be seen, the underwear garment comprises a garment body 102having a waist loop 104 and a crotch portion 106 with a length that runsacross and connects two portions of the waist loop 104 to form twoopenings 108 for receiving a wearer's legs. The waist loop 104 maycomprise an elastic loop stitched into the fabric of the garment. Thisis a standard underwear garment construction and well known in the art.

However. the garment body further comprises, along an inner surface 110of the crotch portion, a first set of snap fittings 112 and a second setof snap fittings 114. These snap fittings are positioned in theillustrated example in an approximately horizontal line stretch acrossthe upper back portion of the crotch and the upper front region of thecrotch. The snap fittings can be any kind of snap fitting and may bemale or female. In the present example each set of snap fittingscomprises four snap fittings however any number may be used in a set.

The underwear garment of the present disclosure further provides acrotch lining element 200 formed of an elongate fabric strip with anabsorbent pad 202 set along the length and held between opposing ends ofthe fabric strip. For example, the absorbent pad 202 may be stitchedbetween two layers of fabric at a point along their length to form anabsorbent middle portion of the crotch lining element 200.

The crotch lining element 200 has a third set of snap fittings 204 and afourth set of snap fittings 206 which are affixed to each of theopposing ends of the fabric strip and are configured to form adetachable connection with the first and second sets of snap fittings112, 114. For example, if the first and second set of snap fittings onthe underwear garment body each comprise four male snap fittings thenthe third and fourth sets of snap fittings would each comprise fourmatching female snap fittings.

In the illustrated example, the crotch lining element 200 also comprisesa pair of wings 208, each wing protruding at outwards from a middleportion of its length. Each wing has a snap fitting or other kind ofattachment mechanism 210 that allows the wings to be connected whenfolded around the crotch portion of the garment body. These wings ortabs may provide additional structural strength securing the crotchlining element 200 to the garment body 100 more securely, preventingmovement or slipping between the two, and preventing stains on the sidesof the fabric of the underwear garment body.

The crotch lining element 200 is machine washable, being made of adurable fabric and re-usable absorbent composite. It is also easilydetachable and re-attachable form the garment body 100, allowing thegarment to be provided as a kit with multiple crotch lining elements 200which can be switched out easily.

Referring to FIG. 2, the example configuration of FIG. 1 is shownwherein the crotch lining element 200 has been secured to the crotchregion of the underwear garment body 100.

As can be seen, the first and second pairs of snap fittings on the innersurface of the garment body 100 line up with and mate with the third andfourth pairs of snap fittings on the crotch lining element 200.Furthermore, the wings 208 fold over and around the crotch portion 106,with the snap fittings 210 on the wings mating with each other to securethe crotch lining element 200 in place.

Referring to FIG. 3, an example configuration of the construction of thecrotch lining element 200 is shown in an exploded view to show themultiple possible layers.

In the example of FIG. 3, the crotch lining element 200 is formed of twoabsorbent pad layers 302 and 304, stitched together between two layersof fabric 306 and 308 that hold the absorbent pads in place, and towhich the snap fittings 204 and 206 may be affixed. In alternativeexamples, only one absorbent layer may be included, or more than twolayers.

The absorbent pads of the crotch lining element 200 may be infused withany number of beneficial compositions, including compositions forperfuming them, moisture wicking compositions, and anti-microbialcompositions to reduce the risk of infection.

Referring to FIG. 4, in some examples, an additional pair of snapfittings or tabs 116 may be provided on an outer surface of the crotchportion of the garment to form a detachable connection with the wings ofthe crotch lining element, thereby holding it in place securely.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the style of the garment is notlimited, and may be provided in any number of styles.

Additionally, any re-usable attachment means may be used instead of snapfittings, including but not limited to hook and eye fittings andre-usable adhesives.

Thus, referring to FIG. 5, another example configuration of an underweargarment 300 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in athong style.

Referring to FIG. 6, a fourth example configuration of the underweargarment 100 of the present disclosure is shown having an additionallayer covering the inner surface of the gusset or crotch portion. Thisadditional layer also covers the second pair of tabs 116 on the outersurface.

Referring to FIG. 7, the fourth example configuration of the underweargarment is shown with the removable crotch lining 100 attached.

As can be seen, the additional layer forms a pocket in which thetabs/layer of fabric 116 are located and which the wings 208 of thecrotch lining element 100 can wrap around and snap together. The innerlayer thus serves to protect and cover the connection between the tabs210 on the wings 208 of the crotch lining element 100 and the secondpair of tabs 116 on the outer surface of the gusset.

This both hides the folded wings 208 from sight to give a moreaesthetically appealing appearance and protects them from externalforces that may cause the detachable connection to come undone, leadingto a more secure connection.

It should be noted that while in the illustrated example the additionallayer of fabric is formed on the inner surface of the gusset, it couldalso equally be applied on the outer surface to have the same effect.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical terms) usedherein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one havingordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thepresent disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The disclosed embodiments are illustrative, not restrictive. Whilespecific configurations of the underwear garment and detachable crotchlining have been described in a specific manner referring to theillustrated embodiments, it is understood that the present invention canbe applied to a wide variety of solutions which fit within the scope andspirit of the claims. There are many alternative ways of implementingthe invention.

It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention hereindescribed are merely illustrative of the application of the principlesof the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustratedembodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, whichthemselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An underwear garment, comprising: a garment body,the garment body comprising a waist loop and a crotch portion with alength, wherein the waist loop and crotch portion are connected togetherto form two openings for receiving a wearer's legs, and wherein an innersurface of the crotch portion has a first set of snap fittings and asecond set of snap fittings attached at opposing ends of the length ofthe crotch portion; and a crotch lining element, the crotch liningelement comprising an elongate fabric strip with an absorbent pad setalong the length and held between opposing ends, and wherein a third setof snap fittings and a fourth set of snap fittings are affixed to eachof the opposing ends configured to form a detachable connection with thefirst and second sets of snap fittings.
 2. An underwear garmentaccording to claim 1, wherein the crotch lining element furthercomprises a pair of tabs or wings protruding at outwards from a middleportion of its length, the pair of tabs comprising a matching pair ofsnap fittings for forming a detachable connection.
 3. An underweargarment according to claim 2, wherein an outer surface of the crotchportion of the garment body comprises a second pair of tabs for forminga detachable connection with the tabs of the wings of the crotch liningelement.
 4. An underwear garment according to claim 3, wherein thegarment further comprises an additional layer covering the inner surfaceof the crotch portion, the additional inner layer serving to protect andcover the connection between the wings.
 5. An underwear garmentaccording to claim 1, wherein the crotch lining element is formed of oneor more absorbent pads stitched between two fabric layers.
 6. Anunderwear garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment comprises amaterial chosen from woven, non-woven, or a combination thereof.
 7. Anunderwear garment according to claim 6, wherein the material is chosenfrom cotton, nylon, polyester, or a combination thereof.
 8. An underweargarment according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent pad comprises anyone of zorb, cotton, flannel, Sherpa, cotton fleece, hemp, bamboo,linen, rayon, wool, french terry, microfiber, push fabric, and modalfabric.
 9. An underwear garment according to claim 1, wherein theabsorbent pad contains an antimicrobial agent.
 10. An underwear garmentaccording to claim 1, wherein the garment is any one of the followingstyles: briefs, boyshorts, hipster, bikini, thong, hi-waist, andswimwear.
 11. A kit, the kit comprising an underwear garment accordingto any one of claims 1-10 and a plurality of additional crotch liningelements.
 12. A method of using an underwear garment according to anyone of claims 1 to 10, the method comprises the steps of: aligning thecrotch lining element with the inner surface of the crotch portion ofthe garment body such that the absorbent pad faces away from the crotchportion; and affixing the crotch lining element in place against thegarment body by connecting the first and second sets of snaps to thethird and fourth sets of snaps, respectively.
 13. A method according toclaim 12, wherein the garment is the garment of claim 2 and the methodfurther comprises affixing the opposing tabs of the wings of the crotchlining element to one another.
 14. A method according to claim 12,wherein the garment is the garment of claim 3 and the method furthercomprises affixing the tabs of the wings of the crotch lining element tothe tabs on the outer surface of the crotch portion of the garment body.